A police officer refused to accept two bribes offered by a suspect implicated in a theft case.
The suspect offered Detective Const Mlungisi Mhlongo a R500 bribe and was told to buy himself a cold drink with the money.
According to Kempton Police spokesperson, Capt Jethro Mtshali, Mhlongo’s investigations into the theft case led him to the suspect. The case involved a trailer that was found abandoned in Deodar Street in Pomona on June 25 around 8pm. The trailer was fully loaded with Camphor Cream products valued at R800 000.
Also read:
• Police officer refuses R700 bribe
• Bribes now taking place at car’s boot area
• Private investigator nabbed for bribery
“During the investigation and tracing of the alleged suspect, it’s alleged the suspect contacted Mhlongo and told him that he had already transferred to him an amount of R500 via e-wallet on July 10. When Mhlongo asked what the money was for, the suspect told him it was for a cold drink. The detective withdrew the money and kept it on him while he continued to lure the suspect to see him first,” Mtshali explained.
On Thursday, July 16, the detective received information that the suspect had been identified at 3pm driving a Kia Picanto on West Street in the Kempton CBD. The suspect was brought into Kempton Police Station for detention where he allegedly tried to bribe the officer with a further R1 200.
“The detective once again refused the bribe. The R500 withdrawn on July 10 was kept and will be used as an exhibit in the investigations.”
The 35-year-old suspect will appear in court on theft and bribery charges.
